Susan Murphy

Susan E. Murphy of Shepherd was born May 15, 1953 in Galveston, Texas to Duncan and Joyce Hooker. She was welcomed into the waiting arms of the Lord June 19, 2018.
As a child in Longview, Texas, Susan accepted Christ as her Savior during Vacation Bible School, an event that inspired her to become passionately involved in decades of VBS service, worship, and Sunday school teaching.
For more than 30 years Susan waged a valiant battle against bi-polar disorder, generously sharing her story with others to raise awareness of the illness and to encourage those dealing with it. Despite her struggle with the illness, she was known to her family and friends for her humor, kindness, and faith.
Susan was married to Leon Murphy for 46 years, a love story that began when the two corresponded during Leon's service in Viet Nam. In 1977, the couple founded Cotton Utility, an electrical contracting company they owned until their retirement in 2013. They used their retirement to continue their work with their church, to spend time with their six much- loved grandchildren, and to go on adventures with the Bay Area Recreational Flyers, a powered parachute organization. She also enjoyed going on junking expeditions with her good friend Valarie Towler.
In addition to her husband Leon Murphy, Susan is survived by son Jared Murphy and wife Jennifer and their children Jayce and Jocelynn of The Woodlands, TX; daughter Lauren O'Reilly and husband Darragh O'Reilly and their children Sophie, Raiff, Finnin, and Lochlan of The Woodlands, TX; brother Ian Hooker and wife Debbie of Smyrna, GA; brother David Hooker and wife Jan of Garland, TX; sister Wendy Hooker of Humble, TX; numerous nieces and nephews; countless friends; and her loving and supportive family at Good Shepherd Missionary Baptist Church in Shepherd.
Visitation will be held at Neal Funeral Home June 23, 2018 at 10:30 AM to 12PM. Service to follow at 12PM. Interment will immediately follow at Farley Chapel Cemetery. Pastor Larry Allbritton Officiating.